Deliberations resume in day care fire trial

HOUSTON (AP) — Jurors have begun a second day of deliberations to decide the sentence for a Houston woman convicted of murder after a 2011 fire at her home day care killed four children.

Jurors deliberated for 5 1/2 hours Monday in the punishment phase of the trial of Jessica Tata (TAH’-tah). They resumed deliberations Tuesday morning.

Tata is facing up to life in prison. She was convicted last week of felony murder in the death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo, whom she left at home with six other children while she went shopping. A pan of oil on a stove top burner fueled the blaze.

Prosecutors asked jurors to sentence Tata to life in prison.

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Defense attorneys say Tata is a good person who made a terrible mistake. Prosecutors call her irresponsible.